One Sure Bet
The sure bet is the one you make on yourself.
The smart bet is the one you make on yourself.
New week. New opportunities. This week double down on the one sure wager. The smart bet is the one you make on yourself.
Six-Word Hoops Stories
Celebrating spring and the start of the NCAA basketball tournament with a few hoops-inspired six-word stories.
Photo by Alex Perez on Unsplash
Celebrating spring and the start of the NCAA basketball tournament with a few six-word stories:
Full court press...against the couch.
That’s about my basketball speed these days.
Dunking dreams. Waking tired and sore.
I've had reoccurring dreams of dunking in pickup basketball games. Something I've done in reality only once or twice. I guess you could say sleep adds many inches to my vertical leap.
Only foul now is my shot.
Yea. I'm beyond rusty. I have a plan to put a goal up at our house and become this old man shooting and dribbling (in the basketball sense) in our driveway.
Rocking chair league. Ready to join.
Do you think there is such a thing as a rocking chair hoops league? Maybe I should start one.
Best advice: Stay off the court.
It's one way to keep from pulling, straining, or breaking anything. But what fun is that?
Once more up court, knee willing.
When my mind makes a basketball promise my body can't keep.
Morning after hoops. Ankle won't move.
Based on many real experiences.
Geezer hoops: Pick and roll over.
My days of setting a hard pick are way behind me. Another version of this read: "Geezer hoops. Pick and fall down."
Moon-Half-Full Kind of Guy
Sure I fell short on a goal. But that’s not stopping me. I’m a moon-half-full kind of guy.
The waxing moon over East Dundee, Illinois, March 18, 2021. Mike Barzacchini photo.
Yesterday, for the first time all year, I didn’t post to this blog. The streak ends.
I could despair. I could beat myself up. I could flounder in my missed goal to post at least once a day in 2021. But I won’t. I’ll recharge, regroup, reset, and post today. Heck, maybe I’ll post twice.
And it wasn’t like I was wasting away on the couch all day. For instance, I went outside on a beautifully clear night and took this great photo of the moon.
Wallowing in my shortcoming won’t get me anywhere but miserable. I’m moving forward with a new goal in mind. I guess you might say I’m a moon-half-full kind of guy.
The Many Blessings of My Parents
I think about my parents all the time, but they are really on my mind this week. I’m remembering the many blessings they gave me.
Today is my mom’s birthday. She would have been 103 today. She lived to be 101. This is also the month my dad died nine years ago. I think about my parents all the time, but they are really on my mind this month.
I’ve been thinking of the many blessings my parents gave me. Here are just a few.
My parents never told me to “be quiet.” Instead, they listened with interest (or at least appeared to), even when I was being silly. I think their example helped me value listening and always strive to become a better listener.
My parents enrolled me in two book clubs before I was six years old. As I recall, I received a new book in the mail every week. My parents read to me and, when I was old enough, let me read to them. The next big jump from my book club when it came to reading, was watching my dad read the newspaper every evening and then joining him when I learned to read. I loved swapping sections of the evening paper with Dad.
My parents taught me that losing and winning gracefully, were both truly winning.
My parents hugged and accepted hugs freely and actively.
My parents put few restrictions on my TV watching or outdoor activities. They preached and practiced balance in both.
My parents encouraged me in sports, even though they knew I’d never pitch in the World Series.
My parents encouraged me in music, even when my trombone practice made our dog howl.
My parents encouraged me in art, even when I couldn’t explain to them what I’d just drawn.
My parents urged me to try everything at least once, even Lima beans.
My parents taught me to respect others and expect the respect of others.
My parents didn’t scold me when I’d wake them at daybreak on a Saturday morning so they could make my breakfast after they’d both worked late into Friday evening. Instead, they moved plastic bowls and cereal boxes to a bottom kitchen cupboard and taught me how to fix my own breakfast. I’d eat in front of Bugs Bunny and Foghorn Leghorn in our family room, just outside their open bedroom door so they could keep an ear on me while catching a few more minutes of precious sleep.
And that’s just one example of the biggest blessings my parents gave to me, the patience, grace, and unconditional love that I still feel from them every day.
Thank you, Mom and Dad.
This Week’s Remedies: Dog Doodles
This week’s remedy: Dog doodles. What are your remedies this week?
It’s been a good week for dog doodles. What are your remedies this week?
Dog Stories: Remembering the Yellow Dog
Izzy was our sweet yellow dog. She’s been gone nearly 10 years, but sometimes it feels like she’s by my side still. Here’s what I remember and treasure about Izzy.
Izzy was our sweet yellow dog. She’s been gone nearly 10 years, but sometimes it feels like she’s by my side still. Here’s what I remember and treasure about Izzy:
Izzy was our first rescue dog. She was found at the pound in Cincinnati by Susan and Jonathan.
They found her on the “private side” of the pound, a place for dogs that weren’t technically up for adoption. Why was she there? Because the staff loved her so much. They wanted to keep her around.
While in the pound, she had puppies. I’ve often wondered what they looked like. All were adopted out before we adopted Izzy.
We called Izzy our Labrador Non-Retriever. She would not fetch, even if you wrapped bacon around the ball. If you gave her a chew toy or bone, instead of playing with it, she’d bury it in the backyard and immediately forget where she buried it.
When we adopted Izzy, she a year or two old. She joined Lydia, our Bichon Frise. Izzy recognized Lydia as her elder, almost treating her like a mom. She became Lydia’s “follower,” which led her on some interesting adventures.
For a time after Lydia died, Izzy was an “only dog.” Then we brought Daisy, another Bichon, into our home. Now the roles were reversed with Daisy bonding to Izzy as her mother figure. I think Izzy may have felt this was doggy deja vu.
Izzy never ran away. She did walk away a couple of times but always came back.
Izzy liked to bask in the sun, especially as she got older. We used to speculate that the warm sun felt good on her bones.
When Izzy was happy, she would roll on her back and yowl.
She was a big dog who liked small spaces and could sometimes be found sleeping under the buffet table or in a laundry basket.
Scared by the sound of thunder, Izzy would seek shelter in the bathtub.
Izzy likely saved our lives when a stranger entered our gate and approached our backdoor late one night. A quiet, gentle dog, she possessed a fierce bark and protective nature when she felt her pack was threatened.
She was my favorite moon-watching companion. Sometimes when I go out at night now, I wonder if she’s watching me watch the moon.
I’ve written dozens of yellow dog poems about Izzy. I hope to collect and publish them one day.
I miss Izzy, our old yellow dog.
Why Kindness Matters to Me
This is a finite adventure. We're here for a limited time. If we can't infuse our lives with kindness -- for ourselves and others -- then the rest of it all matters much less
Photo by Randalyn Hill on Unsplash
Yes, deadlines are important. Exceeding client expectations. Reaching project milestones. Striving each day to grow your knowledge, improve your results, and strive to do your best.
It all matters. But for me, any success I may achieve starts with kindness.
This is a finite adventure. We're here for a limited time. If we can't infuse our lives with kindness -- for ourselves and others -- then the rest of it all matters much less. So, two questions I continually ask myself:
How can I make the practice of kindness a part of my everyday life?
How do I start this practice of kindness with myself?
Seven Ways to Fail or Why the Dinosaurs Became Extinct
These seven ways to fail have in common a propensity to think selfishly about the problem instead of working collaboratively toward the solution.
Once I worked with a team trying to turn it around. Morale was low. Budgets were lean. The competition was intense. I shared a version of these seven ways to fail. At that time, I called the talk, “Why the Dinosaurs Became Extinct.”.
Don't get me wrong. I know there are many more than seven ways to fail. But I've seen these common traits among people, teams, and projects flailing and failing.
Resist change.
Complain without offering solutions.
Refuse to share what you know with your colleagues.
Don’t listen to what others have to teach you.
Believe things will return to the "way they were."
Criticize colleagues' ideas and efforts.
Believe if you complain long enough and hard enough, things will improve.
These seven ways to fail have in common a propensity to think selfishly about the problem instead of working collaboratively toward the solution.
Spoiler alert: We were able to turn the team’s performance around, not because of my talk, but because we started focusing collectively on solutions instead of letting the problems block our progress.
Where Do You Get Lost?
I love to intentionally get lost on a walk, a Sunday drive, listening to a playlist, or reading a good book.
Get lost. No, I mean it, get lost. It’s good for us.
I love to intentionally get lost on a walk, a Sunday drive, listening to a playlist, or reading a good book.
At the least, I come away from a session of getting lost feeling refreshed. At best, I may make a discovery. And by stepping away from the grind, I may find clarity and even a new way to approach a problem or project.
While in college, playing pinball was one of the ways I’d get lost from homework, deadlines, and other responsibilities. And, appropriately, Lost World at a local submarine sandwich shop was one of my favorite pinball destinations. I’d spend hours flirting with the high score, losing myself in the bells and lights .
Today, my get-lost pursuits are more unplugged, like a good hiking trail or an engaging book. But what these pursuits have in common with that Lost World pinball machine of my youth is their ability to pull me away from an overscheduled and predictable day-to-day.
So, how can I tell the difference between getting lost and simply wasting time? At the end of the get-lost trail, I’ve typically found something out about myself.
Where do you go to get lost?
The legendary Lost World pinball machine at Retro Arcade in West Dundee, Illinois.
Don't Stop
Keep moving. No matter how slow. You're making progress toward your goal.
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." - Confucius.
Keep moving, one step at a time, forward toward your goal. #SaturdayMotivation
Do my behaviors match my values?
If I'm doing it right, my values and behaviors sync up. My values guide and fuel my behaviors. And the way I behave reflects my values in action.
Photo by Sean Stratton on Unsplash
Values are vital. They can be both aspirational and inspirational. They help guide my personal and professional life.
Behaviors are how I live my day-to-day. This includes how I treat and serve others, solve problems, and take care of the people in my life and myself.
If I'm doing it right, my values and behaviors sync up. My values guide and fuel my behaviors. And the way I behave personally and professionally reflects my values in action.
Too often, people and organizations spend time on values, without considering behaviors. But here's the thing: If you don't work on the latter, you're never going to achieve the former.
How do your values and behaviors align?
Why I Can't Wait for the Perfect Wave
Often, I’ve waited too long for the perfect wave. But the more I wait for this unseen, optimal wave, the more I'm wasting my most precious resource, time.
Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
Often, I’ve waited too long for the perfect wave. Here's the thing, the more I wait for this unseen, optimal wave, the more I'm wasting my most precious resource, time.
What's keeping me out of the water? Fear? Uncertainty? Lack of confidence? All of the above? I can struggle and spend even more time trying to find the answer to that question. Or, I can just dive in.
Because the best wave is the next one coming in. No more waiting! Surf's up!
Talent vs. Technology
Talent or technology? Which one would you choose?
Photo by Rock'n Roll Monkey on Unsplash
If I'm running a small business or a department with limited resources, I may have a difficult decision to make:
Do I invest in talent or technology?
Here's my guiding principle when addressing this question:
If I have a team of people eager to provide excellent service, the technology doesn't matter...as much. Service zealots will figuratively leap through flames to serve my customers. Similarly, the best technology won't solve undisciplined, unimaginative, or dispassionate service.
Invest in people first. Then acquire the technology that amplifies their passion to serve.
Find the Time to Get Lost in What You Love
May you find time this week to get lost in what you love.
At the start of a new week, I know I'll be faced with challenges, opportunities, tasks, and deadlines. With all those "have-to-dos" I want to make sure I'm finding time to also get lost in what I love.
I hope you are able to pursue your passions this week. After all, we only go down this trail once. Have a great week!
Traction for Spinning Wheels
Do you ever feel like you're spinning your wheels? No matter how hard you try, you're just not making progress.
Often, we put forth the effort, but still aren't moving forward because we lack one important thing: Traction.
There's truth in the adage, "to go fast, you must first slow down." Slowing down helps us gain traction and traction allows us to stop spinning those wheels.
Here are seven ways I gain traction to move forward with a project, problem, or just my life in general:
Take a walk. Preferably in nature, away from traffic, noise, and other distractions.
Listen to music. Music helps me reset my mind and shift my patterns of thinking. Lately, I’ve been listening to jazz playlists on Spotify to help me focus and reset.
Read. When I'm stuck I reach for something totally unrelated to the project I'm working on. Perhaps I’ll browse a collection of poetry, a biography, or a selection of quotations. My recent favorite for getting unstuck is Garner’s Quotations.
Reach out to a past colleague or client. For me, simply having a conversation is a great way to find motivation and get unstuck.
Revisit a successful project. Often the secret to moving forward with a current project is remembering what worked in my last successful one.
Conduct an accomplishment inventory. Listing wins and accomplishments is a good idea anytime, especially when I’m in a cycle of feeling stuck.
Sleep. My wheels may spin because I’m too exhausted or sleep-deprived to see my way forward. A quick nap or a few extra hours of sleep each night may be just what I need to get forward momentum.
What are some of the ways you gain traction to move forward when you feel like you’ve been spinning your wheels?
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What Business Would You Start Today?
If money and time were no object, what business would you start today?
I’ve always wanted to own and operate a bookstore. Nothing practical about this, especially today. But if money and time weren’t an issue, it’s a passion project I’d pursue. I’d like to think I could make it something unique. There would be no other bookstore like MIke’s bookstore. I’d have a small performance and exhibit space for local musicians and artists. Maybe a creators’ studio for podcasters and musicians. And of course, a comfortable place to test-read a book and enjoy a cup of tea. And that’s just for starters as I build out my dream bookstore.
I may be 50 years late on this idea. Bookstores were a fading concern even before the pandemic. But if I had no limits, I’d give it my best effort to see if I could create a post-pandemic third place that would serve and thrive in my community.
And that’s only one of my no-limits business ideas. I keep a little orange notebook where I’ve written down dozens of others. Some have come to life in small ways. Others are waiting to be hatched. All help inspire my writing, projects, and even other ideas. That’s the great thing about the idea stage of starting your own business — money and time are no object.
How about you? What’s your “no limits” business idea? Dolphin petting zoo? Mobile ramen shop? Exotic pet sitting service? What would you stop everything to do right now, if time and money were no object?
Create. Finish. Ship. Repeat.
Create. Finish. Ship. Repeat. So far in 2021, this is what’s working for me. It takes daily focus, intention, and attention. But when I ship, there’s nothing like that feeling. What’s working for you?
When It Comes to List Making, Work With What Works For You
I’m a listmaker. I even make lists to organize my lists. I use journals, a planner, notecards, Trello, the back of envelopes, whatever’s handy. Sometimes I even text myself a list just before going to sleep so it will be in my face first thing in the morning.
The last time I visited my brother, I noticed that he’s a listmaker too. Post-It-Notes™ on the steering wheel was one of his tactics that I noticed.
But when it comes to list-making and organization, I declare Jonathan, my son, the winner. When he still lived at home, I noticed a large whiteboard on the floor in front of his room’s doorway. There’s something beautiful about putting a physically larger-than-life to-do list between yourself and where you need to go. My favorite part about his list in the photo above is the last item — “bigger whiteboard.” That’s not just planning. That’s planning ahead.
While I continue to try out new formats, patterns, setups, and configurations, for me, it all starts and ends with a list. What’s most important is that we find a system that works for us and go with it. And if that doesn’t work, get a bigger whiteboard.
Dog Stories: Happy Adoption Anniversary, Dino
In March 2015, we welcomed Dino into our home. Immediately, he was a great younger brother to Daisy, helping her through her anxiety experienced from the time she was the only dog in our home after Izzy our yellow lab died. He’s been a great older brother to Lucy. And he’s been tolerant of our other fosterrs and adoptions since, Though I think Roy has at times tried his patience. On the flip side, LuLu has been easy on Dino, as she has on everyone in the house.
Before we adopted Dino, I planned on starting a one-year quest to find the “perfect dog.” That one year took one month. And that perfect dog, Dino, was found as a stray in rural Indiana. He was taken in by a foster family in Winfield, Illinois. That’s where we met the boy and fell in love with him.
I tell people that Dino is my spirit animal. He has many qualities I aspire to have. He’s steady, strong, loyal, accepting, and he loves his pack. Of course, Dino, like all of us, has his less than charming qualities that I don’t want to imitate. For example, I don’t think I could ever bark at the window at passing squirrels and deer as much as he does. It’s a reminder that we’re all still a work in progress.
This week, Dino has patiently stuck by my side as I recover from a nagging illness. The weather has warmed and I’ve not been up to anything more than shorter walks with him. But I’m feeling better every day and Dino has remained patient.
Along with those walks, Dino has an adoption anniversary cake in his future. Treats may be Dino’s favorite thing next to barking at squirrels. Happy anniversary to my spirit animal.
Down In the Rust Bucket with Neil Young and Crazy Horse
It’s taken me a while to admit this, but I think I’ve known it for a long time.
My favorite grunge band = Neil Young and Crazy Horse
My favorite country-rock band = Neil Young and Crazy Horse
My favorite punk band = Neil Young and Crazy Horse
My favorite metal band = Neil Young and Crazy Horse
My favorite bar band = Neil Young and Crazy Horse
My favorite rock and roll band = Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Exhibit A: Down in the Rust Bucket. Long may Crazy Horse run.
Photo by Fabian Burghardt on Unsplash